"So he said to me: This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel. Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Armies"- Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
In the history of modern warfare one of the most amazing battles ever is the 1967 six day war. After a period of rhetoric and growing tensions from seething Arab nations, never at peace with the founding of Israel in 1947, war finally broke out. What happened after took all by surprise.
Israel launched preemptive air strikes that crippled 200 planes of Egypt while still on ground. Israel then staged a lightening ground offensive attack that seized the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria in a matter of six days. Though she would later return some of this land, parts of the Golan Heights and West Bank remain in her hands to date!
How could a small newly founded nation of just 3 million take on a 40 million strong population and bring it to its knees in less than a week! Of course it is apparent Israel had long been meticulously planning for this sudden invasion on her neighbors. But they must have been too. So, one must acknowledge the hand of providence in her victory.
For a long time ago Israel had won no less than a severe battle against warring Midnites when God asked Gideon to take only 300 men to do battle, against his earlier projection that it would take 22,000 men ( Judges 7). That victory, as was of the six day war, shows how with God on our side, what appears an invincible army, can easily be withered.
There are always armies around us that seem far mightier in numbers and possessions. There could be court battles where the opponent has lined up a dream defense team against our lone side. Opposition may be met at the workplace where the enemy has used all his resources to draw up a seemingly invincible army of supporters. In business a competitor might seem to be far more connected and with better inroads, that chances of our success seem quite slim!
As we see with the six day war and Gideon's rout of the enemy, might is not everything. As Romans 8:31 says, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Today, whatever army that may seem lined up against you, know with God on your side, victory is at hand!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, whatever forces stand and rise up against me, with you on my side, I am at rest for victory is on the way, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
